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Partnering for Success

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November

Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Directors & Staff

Executive Committee President: Mike Loos

First Vice President: Lance Buser Second Vice President: Steve Nunez

Secretary: Mary White Past President: Brian Hawkins

Board of Directors

Terms Ends January 31, 2020 Mike Loos, Edward Jones Investments

Sheila Martinez, US Bank Rick Turnroth, Turnroth Sign Company

Mary White, Community State Bank

Term Ends January 31, 2021 Brian Hawkins, Hawkins-Cassens Ins.

Tim Determan, Pinney Printing Steve Munson, The Medicine Shoppe

David Knie, Knie Appliance Lance Buser, Walmart D.C. #7024

Amanda Baron, Ward Murray Pace & Johnson

Term Ends January 31, 2022 Jim Cesarek, RE/MAX Sauk Valley

Steve Nunez, Sauk Valley Community College Claudia Sauer, CGH Medical Center

Rebecca Munoz-Ripley, YWCA of the Sauk Valley Josh Johnson, Whiteside Area Career Center

Staff

Executive Director ~ Kris Noble Marketing Coordinator~ Dallas Knack

Financial Specialist/Office Manager~Brandi Langner

November 5 Executive Committee

November 12 Board of Directors

November 14 Ambassadors

November 15 HBLC

November 19 Agribusiness

November 20 PWN

A Message from the Director

Happy Fall! As we move into the holiday season, I seem to become more aware of the importance of gratitude and expressing gratitude. There are things that we are, or should, always be grateful for such as family, friends, good health, and employment. Since being at the Chamber, the one thing that I have truly come to appreciate is community; especially this community, the Sauk Valley. Prior to my Chamber work, my background was working in community development and youth issues. There were a lot of theories, data, ideas, and models on how to get communities to work together, to support each other in order to grow and thrive. In the Sauk Valley we are doing this; we connect, collaborate, support, and encourage. Businesses, Healthcare, City Government, Not for Profits, Education and Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Retail work collectively for the greater good, a healthy and thriving community. It is evident in so much we do; whether we are voting for Brinkley to win the K9 aftermath grant, or a business allowing students to paint their windows, or a business allowing a group of CEO students to tour their facility and then share their knowledge, or 15 organizations coming together to discuss and plan the 2020 Census, or the many public/private partnerships that exist. I am grateful for this community. One thing that we can, and should do, to show this gratitude is to shop local. These local businesses and services need and deserve our support year-round. As we move into the holiday season, please make intentional decisions to shop local / use local resources.

These are the businesses and services that give back to our community and for that I am grateful.

Thankful

MEMBER RENEWALS

Member Update November 2019

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We would like to give special recognition to the following groups who provide extra support to the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce. This extra effort and support is truly appreciated. If you have the opportunity to express your sincere appreciation to these members, please do so!

Investing over $1000 in Dues

CGH Medical Center Community State Bank Farmers National Bank - Morrison Midland States Bank Sauk Valley Bank Select Employees Credit Union Sterling Federal Bank US Bank Wahl Clipper Corp. Wal-Mart DC #7024 Ward, Murray, Pace & Johnson

Allstate Insurance Agency Amazing Grace of Sterling D & E Furniture Derns Ins. Agency/State Farm Froet Industries LLC Happy Tails Humane Society Hughes Resources Illinois American Water Lance's Plumbing Linnea & Wolf Koch

Moore Monument & Granite Co. Phil Mattox Insurance Agency Plainwell Brass Smoked on Third Sterling Commercial Roofing Sterling Moose Family Center Sterling Rock Falls Child Care The Spa At Central Park Twin Cities Homeless Shelter-PADS United Craftsmen, LTD

150% Club Members

1st Gateway Credit Union Al J. Dieterle Decorating Bargain Exterminators Blue Appraisals, LLC Cassens Drainage Cater Construction & General Contracting Central Heating & Cooling Compeer Financial Dale Carnegie Training Dennis Electric of Tampico, Inc. Folsom's Bakery Hawkins-Cassens Insurance, LLC Jim Prescott’s BBQ Shop

Kelly's Restaurant Inc. Kiwanis Club of Sterling Large Marge BBQ Melton Seed & Service LLC Mertes & Mertes, PC Midwest Activity Productions LLC New Millenium Directories Potthoff Tax & Accounting RE/Max Sauk Valley Rock River Ready Mix Sauk Valley Foodbank Sauk Valley Physical Therapy Scholl Insurance Agency Schuneman Insurance Agency

Sedona Staffing Servicemaster of Sterling/Rock Falls Sherwin Williams Showplace Antiques & Treasures St. Mary's School St. Vincent DePaul Society Sterling Chevrolet Sterling Optimist Club The Cornerstone Agency, Inc. Wells Family Dentistry Wendler Engineering Services, Inc.

110% Club Members

AASC - Alternative Ag Services & Consultants Abiding Word Church Achievement Unlimited Advocare Independent Distributor Altorfer Inc. Central Heating & Cooling, Inc. CliftonLarsonAllen Cornerstone Credit Union Country Ins. & Financial Svcs. County Market Creative Cuisine Catering, Inc. Culver's of the Sauk Valley Dairy Queen Brazier Days Inn Rock Falls

Destinations Travel Services, Inc. Folsom's Bakery, Inc. Hope Life Center Kreider Services K's Korners Trading Post Moore Monument & Granite Co. Moore Tires, Inc PFLAG Sauk Valley Pinney Printing Plainwell Brass, Inc. Raymond James & Associates Regency Care of Sterling River Ridge Animal Hospital Rock River Lumber & Grain Savant Capital, LLC

SBM Scholl Insurance Agency, Inc. Schuneman Insurance Agency, Inc Select Employees Credit Union Sterling Federal Bank Sterling Public Schools TBK Bank United Electric Ward, Murray, Pace & Johnson Willy's Restaurant Woodlawn Arts Academy

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Workforce Development

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Chamber Ambassadors

Allie Johnston – University of Illinois Extension

Amy Tessman — Frary Lumber

Angie Delhotal— Sauk Valley College Foundation

Angie Smith – Hawkins-Cassens Insurance Agency

Anthony Garcia—Prime Time Social Media

Cassandra Salmon – Sauk Valley Bank

Chandra Meyer – Re/Max Sauk Valley

Christina Bystry—House in the Country

Janell Loos—Petersen Health Care

Jerry Binder—Whiteside Area Career Center

Jon Byar – Midland States Bank

Justin Wiggins—Wiggins Computing, LLC

Karen Voss – Rock River Hospice and Home

Mary White – Community State Bank

Melissa Ryan-Bergstrom – Candlelight Inn

Nick Krumbholz – Sterling Federal Bank

Nicole Bollman - CGH Medical Center

Pam Fluck – Sauk Valley Bank

Roy Dern – State Farm

Scott Sandrock—Ward Murray Pace & Johnson

Sheila Martinez – U.S. Bank

Sherry DeWalt – CGH Health Foundation

Congratulations to Carpetland USA

for receiving the October Customer Service Award!

We are proud to have you as a member of the SVACC!

Ambassador Spotlight— Scott Sandrock

Scott earned his law degree from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 2018, where he graduated magna cum laude. He earned his undergraduate

degree from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois in 2014.

He was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2018. He is a member of the Illinois State and Whiteside County Bar Association.

Scott is a native of Prophetstown, Illinois; he graduated from Prophetstown High School in 2010. Before going to law school, he was a Social Studies

teacher at Amboy High School. He now resides in Sterling and works out of the Sterling office of Ward, Murray, Pace and Johnson.

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Ribbon Cuttings

Rituals Chiropractic and Wellness 18573 Pennington Rd (Rt 40) Sterling

Rock River Hospice & Home Memorial Garden 2706 Ave E., Sterling

NASOS Salon 12 E. 4th St., Sterling

Citadel of Sterling Memory Care Unit 105 E. 23rd St., Sterling

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Members in the

Sterling Federal Bank, a local Sterling icon, was named among the top extraordinary banks in the United States by The Institute for Extraordinary Banking® for the third year in a row.

Sterling Federal Bank was recognized with the Institute’s Banky™ Award for its commitment to strong community banking. This recognition is given to top community banks across the country to help people find the best banks in their communities.

Sterling Federal Bank is a federal mutual savings bank with eleven offices located in northwestern Illinois and eastern Iowa, and has been serving the community since it was chartered in 1885.

Visit www.sterlingfederal.com to watch the Banquet video.

Congratulations Deb Mortenson from the YMCA! She was recognized as the Aquatics Director of the Year at the Illinois Fall Staff Rally.

Business After Hours October 24, 2019 Thank you to Holiday Inn Express for hosting our October BAH. It was a wonderful time of

networking and connecting! Please join us for our December BAH at Sterling Federal Bank on

December 12.

Breakfast Before Business October 18, 2019 Thank you to United Way of Whiteside County and Sauk Valley Bank for hosting the BBB at

Woodlawn Arts Academy.

There was wonderful entertainment and

great company!

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The month of October found the Sauk Valley Community Leadership Program meeting twice and investigating Generational Differences and Leading People During Change. In early October, with both adults and CEO students on hand, participants enjoyed conversing, and wondering if one’s way of thinking was more personality driven versus generational. Influences shaping Generation Z were discussed, such as today’s political and world tensions, environmental, technology, etc. Mandy and Rick Curia, Ken Nelson Auto Group, along with Nathan Wright, Abiding Word Church, participated in a panel discussion focusing on the implications of a multi-generational workforce and clients. The second session featured Dr. Tad Everett, Sterling Public Schools, and Dr. Steinke, CGH Medical Center, who spoke on Leading Change. Throughout the year, participants in SVCLP are given many opportunities to learn from local professionals and formulate their own leadership philosophies. Each session includes time for questions, lively discussions, and personal reflection.

The Professional Women’s Network hosted a Women’s Self Defense Luncheon and workshop on October 22nd. Master Jane Dillon, from Legacy Martial Arts in Sterling, taught the ladies about lifesaving techniques for self dense.

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For more information on CEO email Le Hartman at lhartman@wacc.cc

Written by: Clair Bradshaw, Sterling High School

Going into the CEO class, I was not sure what I was getting myself into, but I knew it would be something good. We are still early in the year, but I have already learned a remarkable amount of business information that will benefit me tremendously throughout the year, as well as in the future. This month has been very busy as Le, our facilitator, has planned many tours for us and asked multiple business men and women to take time out of their busy work day be guest speakers. My favorite event we’ve done was Petal It Forward with Behrz Bloomz. We were all given a partner and sent out into the community with hundreds of flowers. We gave two bouquets to every person. One was for them, and one was for them to petal it forward. It was such an honor to be part of an event like this. This small gesture made many peoples’ days. It left a good feeling, knowing you brightened someone’s day with something as small as giving them flowers. Another take away from class is advice I have heard from various speakers. “Do not be afraid to fail” is something that has stuck with me. It is okay to fail. This is how you grow as a person. I am eager to see what is in store for us this year and how our class will grow closer together. I am looking forward to starting our individual businesses and putting on the trade show. I am very grateful for this opportunity and I would like to thank Le and our community for bringing such an amazing program to our area.

Written by: Lucas Sotelo, Sterling High School Recently, the entire CEO, East and West classes, went on a field trip to Davenport, Iowa and Morrison, Illinois to learn about entrepreneurs and options for our future. Our visit included: Analog Arcade, Putnam Museum and Science Center, and Morrison Institute of Technology. I found Analog to be the most intriguing; a young entrepreneur and co-owner, Dan Bush, dreamt of a place to play nostalgic games in a social setting. Viewing this as a young creator, the location he has chosen is a brilliant and conscience one. Being in areas buzzing with college students and millennials, he is marketing to the perfect age group. The skills we learned from Analog, and all the other previous tours, have contributed to our skill sets and will allow us to successfully create projects from the ground up. Currently in class, we are beginning to arrange the Eastland sophomore visit and the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner. Personally, I believe our class is prepared and I love being involved in committees in which I can deliver my thoughts clearly as well as effectively. Our CEO West class is developing phenomenally and I am proud of the projects that are up and coming.

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Guest

EDITORIAL November

Discover the many ways that Aetna Funding Advantage can help your business save Tired of rising health costs? The Advantage opportunity Switching to a self-funded plan may be easier than you think. It’s time to consider Aetna Funding Advantage. Self-funded plans are more stable. Monthly payments are based on the health trends of your employees. And when health care costs are lower than expected, you get back a percentage of your funds. Control your health care costs with Aetna Funding Advantage, a self-funded plan backed by the strength of Aetna.

Savings and much more Not long ago self-funded plans were only considered by larger companies. Then Aetna designed their self-funded plan with your smaller business in mind. It’s time you enjoyed these savings: - You could save up to 25 percent upfront - You could save long-term with the surplus sharing benefit - You could save on taxes and fees - You could save time on health care tracking and reporting Is self-funding right for your company? Typically, self-funding has been used by large companies to control benefits costs. Aetna Funding Advantage offers self-funding built for your smaller business. It’s a win-win With Aetna Funding Advantage, you can get money back in years when your medical costs are lower than anticipated. If medical costs are higher than anticipated, you’re protected with stop-loss insurance. And, our plan designs provide you with access to Aetna’s quality network and health and wellness benefits. How Aetna Funding Advantage works Rather than prefunding the cost of insurance every month, you fund a personalized maximum claim amount. When your claims are higher than this maximum amount—stop-loss insurance kicks in. And, when you renew your plan, 50% of any surplus at the end of the year is returned to you. Explore opportunities for savings Aetna can help you find the right coverage for the right cost. That can make a difference for the health of your employees and the health of your company’s bottom line. To learn more about Aetna Funding Advantage, visit www.discoveraetna.com/afa or call 866-472-5349

Government Affairs Update

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Final Rule by the U.S. Department of Labor https://www.dol.gov/whd/overtime2019/

On September 24, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule to make 1.3 million American workers newly eligible for overtime pay. The final rule updates the earnings thresholds necessary to exempt executive, administrative and professional employees from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) minimum wage and overtime pay requirements, and allows employers to count a portion of certain bonuses/commissions towards meeting the salary level. The new thresholds account for growth in employee earnings since the thresholds were last updated in 2004. In the final rule, the Department is: · raising the “standard salary level” from the currently enforced level of $455 per week to $684 per week (equivalent to $35,568 per year for a full-year worker); · raising the total annual compensation requirement for “highly compensated employees” from the currently enforced level of $100,000 per year to $107,432 per year; · allowing employers to use nondiscretionary bonuses and incentive payments (including commissions) paid at least annually to satisfy up to 10% of the standard salary level, in recognition of evolving pay practices; and · revising the special salary levels for workers in U.S. territories and the motion picture industry. The final rule is effective on January 1, 2020.

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